Partnership with Parents Policy

(Updated EYFS September 2025)

Policy Statement:

At Just Little Ones Childminding, we believe that strong partnerships with parents are essential for high-quality childcare and positive child development. Parents are the primary educators of their children, and we value their knowledge, insights, and contributions. This policy outlines our commitment to open communication, collaborative decision-making, and shared learning experiences to support children’s development in line with EYFS 2025 guidance.

Open Communication:

  • We promote open, honest, and regular communication with parents to ensure they are well-informed about their child’s progress, experiences, and any concerns.
  • We offer multiple communication channels, including:
    • Face-to-face discussions
    • Phone calls or messages
    • Emails
    • Secure digital platforms for daily updates
  • Parents will be encouraged to share important information regarding their child’s routines, behaviours, and development.

Information Sharing:

  • We respect parents as partners in their child’s learning and well-being and value the information they provide.
  • We will share updates on children’s:
    • Developmental milestones
    • Achievements and progress
    • Social and emotional well-being
  • Information will be shared with appropriate consent, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with GDPR regulations.

Parental Involvement in Decision-Making:

  • We actively involve parents in planning and decision-making regarding their child’s care and learning journey.
  • Parents will have opportunities to collaborate on developmental goals, ensuring a consistent approach between home and the childcare setting.
  • We recognise that each child is unique, and we adapt our practices to reflect parental input, home routines, and cultural preferences.

Parent Meetings:

  • Regular meetings will be offered to discuss a child’s progress, learning, and development.
  • Meetings can be scheduled at agreed intervals or arranged upon request.
  • Individualised Learning Plans (ILPs) will be discussed with parents, ensuring that any additional needs are addressed.

Confidentiality and Privacy:

  • We treat all information shared by parents with strict confidentiality and store records securely.
  • Only authorised staff will have access to personal information in accordance with data protection laws.

Encouraging Parental Involvement in Activities:

  • Parents are encouraged to participate in activities, events, and cultural celebrations.
  • Parents can contribute skills, knowledge, or experiences to enrich the learning environment.
  • Opportunities for home learning support will be provided to bridge the gap between home and childcare.

Feedback and Suggestions:

  • Parent feedback is highly valued, and we provide multiple ways for parents to share suggestions, including:
    • Regular surveys
    • Suggestion boxes
    • Direct discussions
  • Parent feedback will be used to improve policies and daily practices.

Collaboration with External Professionals:

  • When necessary, we will work in partnership with external professionals, such as:
    • Health practitioners
    • Speech and language therapists
    • Educational psychologists
    • SEN support services
  • We will liaise with parents to ensure that external support services are aligned with the child’s needs and that any interventions are coordinated effectively.

Alignment with EYFS 2025 Changes:

  • The EYFS 2025 framework reinforces the role of parental involvement in early years settings, recognising that strong parent-practitioner relationships lead to better child outcomes.
  • This policy aligns with EYFS 2025 focus areas, including:
    • Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED): Working with parents to promote children’s emotional security and confidence.
    • Communication and Language: Encouraging language-rich interactions between parents and children.
    • Equal Partnerships: Recognising parents as equal partners in decision-making about their child’s early education.
  • EYFS 2025 emphasises the importance of two-way communication, ensuring childcare settings actively engage with parents in a meaningful way.

Review and Monitoring:

  • This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required to align with EYFS updates and best practices.
  • Feedback from parents, staff, and external professionals will be considered to improve our partnership with families.

Signed: Jemma & Dale Ferriday
Date: August 2025
Review Date: April 2027